Klewtz 55-Gal Noobie Build

[Klewtz]

Hello Everyone,

Welcome to my build thread. I am 27 years old and grew up watching Tanked I always wanted an Aquarium. I have recently gotten the itch to try this hobby out. I researched before I started but not even close to how much I needed to do. I want to start small with a 55-Gal FOWLR Aquarium and then expand.

One thing I have realized about this hobby so far is it takes a lot of patience, and it is the hardest part of this hobby. I have made a few mistakes, and one was rushing.

Day 1 -(Bad decisions were made) I went out and bought a 55 Gal TopFin Kit Setup (at the time the price was only 129.99 and I thought it was a great deal. The main problem with this setup was that it was tailored more towards freshwater and not saltwater. I have already replaced the filter due to it not being sufficient for saltwater. While I was at the store I also went ahead and bought Live Sand, Salt Mix, API Test Kit and Decorations. I went home and got the water mixed, added the sand, added water and also added decorations.

Day 2 - I went to Petco after doing more research because I needed Live rock and some live bacteria to start the cycle. My mistake here was I did not get enough Dry rock to make a decent Aquascape. I went home rinsed off the dry rock and added to my tank, at this time I also added the bacteria in a bottle.

Day 3/4/5/6 - I ghost-fed my tank and tested the water every day. I noticed that my nitrites were always high no matter what. I decided to check my tap water and it showed that there were about 3ppm Nitrites in my tap water. After day 6 my tank was cycling Ammonia, but my nitrites were still high.

Day 7- I decided to go my LFS to start getting some fish. I decided to get 2 Three-strip damsels, 3 Blue legged hermit crabs, and 3 Turbo snails. While I was here, they offered me live rock that has been in their tanks to help with my cycle. My biggest mistake here is that I didn't quarantine or even check my fish before adding it to my tank. When they were swimming in my tank, I noticed one of my Damsels had part of its fin missing.

Day 8- I checked levels and monitored fish and inverts and everything was on track besides my nitrites were still high.

Day 9 - I noticed my Damsel who was already hurt was starting to act weird he would stick close to the bottom and at some points would just let the current take him around and was not fighting to swim much.

Day 10 - Checked levels before I went to work, and everything looked good (besides nitrites). When I came home for lunch 4 hours later poor little damsel was dead on the sand. I immediately got him out and noticed a spot on his side where his scale looked disturbed and a little redness. I also checked my levels at this time, and everything seemed normal besides nitrites as always. After this I researched Damsels and
saw that they can be very aggressive, and I am wondering if the other attacked the hurt one.

From here I have let my tank cycle more with this one damsel just in case I am scared that my nitrites being high could have led to the death or possibly the damsel. It has been over a week and a half since my damsel has died. I am probably on day 20ish I have recently purchased more dry rock and an RO/DI unit they will be here on Tuesday. I worry that I will not be able to hook it up to the sink in my apartment, but we will see when it gets here!

POSSIBLE ISSUE- Another problem I noticed today is that my damsel has white spots on his tail and not sure if I should try to remove him to take them off or medicate him or something please let me know what you think! Attached is a picture of him currently!

This is how my tank is laid out currently. I am not happy with my Aquascape and I have recently ordered 22 Lbs more of dry rock. Please give me Ideas on how I should lay it out or if you have any Aquascape suggestions and tips!

My Current Equipment:
- TopFin 55 Gallon Glass tank with hood / Bright White LED
- TopFin 200 Watt Heater
- AquaClear 70 Power Filter (Foam, Carbon, BioMax) This replaced my old filter that came with the kit
- 2 Fluval Sea Circulation Pump (One is on the top right side pointed up towards the surface, second one bottom left side pointed straight through the tank) Let me know if you think I should point these a different way.
- 20 Pounds of Dry Rock

Products I have on hand:
(Let me know if you think any of these are pointless to have or suggest anything different)
- API Quick Start
- Magnet Glass Cleaner
- MICROBE Nite-Out II
- API Saltwater Master Test Kit
- Seachem Prime
- Fritz Zyme 9
- Instant Ocean Salt Mix
-ADDED After Original Post
-Auto Feeder
-Wifi Outlet




Products on order:
- BRS 10 oz. Bottle BRS Extra Thick Gel Super Glue
- BRS Insta-Set Super Glue Accelerator
- BRS 4 Stage Value 75GPD RO/DI System
- AF Rock Mix (22 lbs / 10kg) - Aquaforest
- Noopsyche NP K7 Pro V3 III

To Do / Wish List:
(Let me know if you have more Suggestions or think I should not waste my time on things)
- Put a background on back of tank
- Find a wire rack shelf for under my tank stand Got one bathroom rack and bins for storage
- Put a curtain around my stand to hide my products to make it more aesthetic
- Find a way to get rid of my Lid and do a DIY mesh lid (Anyone Help with this?)
- Better lighting (any ideas for my tank?) Ordered Noopsyche NP K7 Pro V3 III
- Get more fish and Inverts!

Possible Stock List!:
2 - Clownfish
3-4 CardinalFish
1- Royal gamma basslet
1 - Sixline wrasse
1 - Flame HawkFish
1 - Watchmen Goby / Pistol Shrimp
1 - Dart Fish
1 - Clown Goby
1- 3 stripe Damsel


Inverts:
3 - Turbo Snails
3 - Blue Legged Hermit (want 6)
1 - Cleaner Shrimp
1 - Urchin
1 - Starfish (not sure which kind is best for me)
3 - Nassarius Snail


Thank you for viewing my post! I will be posting updates whenever I do something new, or something happens. Please give me feedback and suggestions! I am new and learning so take it easy on me! Thank you again and hope you like my thread!

 

[Klewtz]

Here is a current video of my Damsel and the white spots on his tail!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along!

 

[Klewtz]

UPDATE:
This morning my girlfriend plugged her laptop in to do work in the living room and it tripped the breaker. Luckily we noticed that everything in the tank was turned off. Is there any recommended products to either alert of power loss or serve as a temporary back up power?

Besides that everything is going well. I am currently just waiting out getting more inhabitants for when I get more dry rock and my RO/DI on Tuesday. Trying not to change so much at once!

 

[Klewtz]

Update:
For the power issue, I had the other day I plugged my heater and one of my powerheads into a different outlet that doesn't run on the same breaker. It tripped that breaker as well. I moved my heater back to the other plug. To isolate if it's the heater tripping it or if it is my extension cord. It has been 24 hours, and nothing has happened.

 

[Klewtz]

Today I am looking into Lights for my tank. I currently have only fish in my tank, and I don't think Ima add coral for a while as I'm new to the hobby and trying to learn before jumping in! With that said I don't mind getting something that will support corals but also, I don't want to break the bank yet if that makes sense.

My dimensions - 48 in L x 13 in W x 20 in H

Currently looking into these options.

1) Fluval Sea Marine 3.0 LED

2) Aquatic Life T5 HO Hybrid Light Fixture (48 Inch)

right now I am leaning more toward the Fluval let me know if y'all have any other opinions on lights or if you think I'm wasting my time with these! If you think any cheaper ones would be perfect for my needs that will be great as well!

 

[Klewtz]

Update:

After Looking into Lights, I ended up going with the Noopsyche NP K7 Pro V3 III. Seemed like the best and cheapest option for me at the moment. Just hope I can mount it on my tank. Have a feeling I might have to rig something up for it to fit. Since I have a center Divider.

I have also ordered an Auto Feeder because I like to travel a bit on the weekends and do not want my fish to go hungry!

The BIGGEST UPDATE is that my new Dry Rock and my 4 Stage RO/DI That I bought on BRS arrived but there is a problem. I live in Texas and I screwed up and put my Parent's Address in Virginia So might be a little while before I get that

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Update:

After Looking into Lights, I ended up going with the Noopsyche NP K7 Pro V3 III. Seemed like the best and cheapest option for me at the moment. Just hope I can mount it on my tank. Have a feeling I might have to rig something up for it to fit. Since I have a center Divider.

I have also ordered an Auto Feeder because I like to travel a bit on the weekends and do not want my fish to go hungry!

The BIGGEST UPDATE is that my new Dry Rock and my 4 Stage RO/DI That I bought on BRS arrived but there is a problem. I live in Texas and I screwed up and put my Parent's Address in Virginia So might be a little while before I get that

If you don't already have one, you should get an ATO as well! Those are amazing if you travel a lot!

 

[Klewtz]

If you don't already have one, you should get an ATO as well! Those are amazing if you travel a lot!

Thanks for the suggestion! I have been looking into them but have also been monitoring my salinity and water levels; honestly, I don't see much of a change. I am pretty sure this is because my tank has a cover (which will be removed when I get my new light) So I guess in the end I will need to end up getting an ATO Thanks for making me think lol

 

[Formulator]

Welcome to reefing! Tank looks good. You will want to build that rockscape a bit taller in some spots if you plan to keep stony corals. A lot of corals will need to be closer to the light. Remember to take things slow and don’t change more than one thing at a time. Happy reefing!

 

[Klewtz]

Welcome to reefing! Tank looks good. You will want to build that rockscape a bit taller in some spots if you plan to keep stony corals. A lot of corals will need to be closer to the light. Remember to take things slow and don’t change more than one thing at a time. Happy reefing!

Thank you! I plan to make the rockscape a bit taller for sure! I have some more rocks on order! Im not the best artist but will give it my best shot! Thanks for the reply!

 

[strich]

A rectangle tank like yours, you typically go for two islands of rock on both ends. Exactly how you shape them is up to you. Like the other poster said, you want to build them up a bit with maybe one island being taller than the other for some variety and options on coral placement in the future.
Some examples:

 

[Northern Flicker]

That's strange that the laptop tripped the breaker. Usually they don't pull much power, less than 1.0 amp for a work laptop.

If I were you, I might map out the circuits in your house/apmt and try to figure out how much wattage is on that circuit.

Where I live, common residential circuits can handle 15amps but you generally want to run with a nice buffer. If plugging in a laptop tripped the breaker, you might be right up against that circuits max load, which isn't ideal.

I am no electrician, that's just what struck me from your above post.

 

[Klewtz]

That's strange that the laptop tripped the breaker. Usually they don't pull much power, less than 1.0 amp for a work laptop.

If I were you, I might map out the circuits in your house/apmt and try to figure out how much wattage is on that circuit.

Where I live, common residential circuits can handle 15amps but you generally want to run with a nice buffer. If plugging in a laptop tripped the breaker, you might be right up against that circuits max load, which isn't ideal.

I am no electrician, that's just what struck me from your above post.

Thanks for the feedback! Yesterday I plugged in a second heater to mix some new water and it also tripped. So I definitely think I’m pushing the limit some how and need to figure a way to disperse usage throughout. I live in a small apartment so not sure if that changes much

 

[Klewtz]

A rectangle tank like yours, you typically go for two islands of rock on both ends. Exactly how you shape them is up to you. Like the other poster said, you want to build them up a bit with maybe one island being taller than the other for some variety and options on coral placement in the future.
Some examples:

These look great! Thank you for the inspiration! I will post updates when I get the new rock!

 

[Klewtz]

Update: tank is starting to get a little bit of the ugly stage with sand turning a rust color I’m assuming it’s Diatoms. I think I’m going to start limiting my lights.

 

[Klewtz]

Update: Yesterday I had a small accident and added too much food testing out my auto feeder. I siphoned up all the extra food and did a water change but disturbed a lot of the sand and now my tank has been cloudy for 24 hours. Will keep updated if it changes!

 

[Klewtz]

UPDATE:

since the stuff I ordered is going to take a bit I decided to do a little thing and got myself a Pink speckled Goby and a tiger pistol shrimp! These were not paired when I got them but they are best buds already! Definitely a cool little pair! They definitely love to disappear had me worried for a bit!

 

[Klewtz]

Update: Still waiting for my stuff I ordered to arrive! Everything is doing well tho. Getting more and more into the ugly stage everyday. Trying to limit light usage.

Things I’m currently thinking about is getting a few more hermit crabs, bumble bee snails, and nassarius snails.

Also looking into getting a better test kit I’m starting to not trust my API test kit and have heard of them messing up a lot. Any suggestions?

 

[Solo McReefer]

Did the damsel make it?

Three stripe and domino damsels become monsters when they get bigger. They are monsters when small

Anyway, 125 for a tank and steel stand is a great deal. Usually the stand alone is that much on sale

Cloudy water for 24 hours says your filtration is not enough

If you got the Noopsyche, that implies you're getting corals later. If so, I would get some real live rock and pull that decoration rock out

Something is wrong with your electrical If it's popping on an amp of power. Get that fixed before buying coral

Jebao gyres or Maxspect Jump gyres are the best deal for flow right now. You will need waterfowl for corals